Kingdom Hearts: Destati

[Aqua13]

i made one simlar to yours, its kh LOVE ETERNAL BLISS< lately no one likes mine right now, only very few. but it would be nice if you checked it out.

[Xuan]

No offense, Kurix. But of course, I'm trying to introduce you to a fat lady because I don't need one. My girlfriend... Well, let's just say that if I like her, then I don't really care what the others think about her. But you made me worried now, she's quite beautiful and it was rare for my friends to actually praise a girl's looks, and they did... OMG I'M COMING GIRL!

*pulls out assault rifle and rockets towards girlfriend's house*

P.S: By the way Jones, when is your next chapter coming out? And do you read fanfics from Unleash Your Imagination - FanFiction.Net

[Riku Fan1415]

Originally Posted by Merlin326

even if there is, i probably wouldnt use it personally. i like hearing my reader's opinions and advice, and i dont mind too much if a little side conversation happens on the way (as long as it doesnt get out of hand).

Well, I kinda meant like for the site "fanfiction", like how there's a separate page to review.

[Zero Inferno]

To Davey Jones: you mean zetta when talking about magnitudes of data or increasingly small increments of time, right? Grim Heaper FTW.

Would you look at that.
Xuan's offensive AND defensive!

[mileycyrus13]

hahahahahaahahahahahahhahahahaha!

[Zero Inferno]

Yeah, yeah, well I've edited the post since that problem has now been rectified. So now hahahahaha at you because now you look like an idiot laughing at nothing.

[Merlin326]

let's finish our conversation with the dragon now, shall we. and maybe even get a battle fitted in for good measure. i must say, the moment the dragon earns his 'name' is one of my favorites in the whole movie (an arrangement of To the Stars plays in the background, which may be part of it).
***********

Chapter 5
Master and pupil

“Thank you,” the dragon said as Sora used a healing spell on the shoulder, “it’s passed now.”

“What was it?” Sora asked.

“An old complaint that acts up now and again,” the dragon replied. Sora knew there was more to it than that, but decided not to pursue the subject.

“Forgive me,” Bowen began, “if anything I said, if I upset you.”

“It wasn’t you,” the dragon sighed, “not you.”

The dragon then laid down and fell asleep, leaving Sora, Riku, and Kairi to talk with Bowen.

“So you knew the king?” Kairi asked, sitting next to the sleeping dragon.

“Long ago,” Bowen answered, “I taught him how to fight, the ways of a Knight of the Old Code.”

“What happened to him?” Sora asked.

“12 years ago,” Bowen began, “Einon’s father, King Frayne, was a cruel man. He led his kingdom with tyranny and bloodlust. Eventually, the peasants rebelled against him. They lost, but not before Frayne died of wounds and Einon was mortally injured. We took him to a dragon that lived up in the mountains, and he took out half of his heart and put it in Einon, binding them together.”

“He… took out half his heart?” Riku said.

“Yes. It’s an old trick of the dragons. It can save a person from death, but my knowledge on the subject ends there. I doubt few humans know even that much.”

“What happened to Einon?” Sora asked.
“Either… he changed because of the heart, which is what I wanted to believe, or he was always like that and I never knew it, but he changed. He acted just like his father before him, ruling through fear and no compassion for the peasants. I ended my service to the kingdom that day, and vowed to kill the dragon that had changed the boy I cared for.”

“But what now?” Kairi asked, “If he’s dead, and Einon still lives, what will you do?”

Bowen looked up at the stars and said, “I do not know.”
-------
Up at the castle, Kara sat in the dungeon, waiting for something, anything, to happen. What she could not expect, however, was the queen herself rescuing her. She turned and saw a secret panel in the floor slide away, revealing a hidden staircase.

“Don’t be afraid,” Queen Aislinn said, “I won’t let you suffer the same fate as me. I’ve come to help you.”

Minutes later, the two were walking through ancient catacombs under the palace. The queen then gestured to a shadowy passage and said, “This will bring you out well below the castle walls.”

Kara waited for a moment, stopping only to say thank you, and disappeared into the darkness.
-----------------
Later that night, not long before dawn, the dragon awoke to find his four companions watching over him.

“Have you four been watching over me all night?” he asked.

“We’ve been thinking,” Sora said.

“Yes? About what?”

“Many things,” Bowen answered, “Mostly about what to call you. I think we’ve found you a name.”

The dragon chuckled and said, “You say that as though you reached up and plucked it from the sky.”

Kairi chuckled and said, “We did. Up there.”

“Do you see that group of stars?” Bowen asked.

The dragon looked up and saw what stars Bowen was pointing out, “I know those stars very well,” he said softly.

“Do you see the shape that they make?” Sora asked.

“Yeah, a dragon.”

“Yes,” Bowen said, “They call it ‘Draco’. It means ‘dragon’ in the scholars’ speech.”

The dragon chuckled and said, “So instead of calling me ‘Dragon’ in your tongue, you’ll call me ‘Dragon’ in some other tongue.”

“You’re right,” Bowen said, “it's silly.”

“No,” the dragon said, “No, I would be honored to be named after those stars. I… I truly would. Thank you Bowen, Sora, Riku, and Kairi.”

Draco then repeated the name to himself, pleased and honored, “Draco. Draco.”

And Draco looked up at the stars and smiled.
--------
The next morning, Kara was trying to get the peasants to revolt against Einon, as they did 12 years before. Unfortunately for her, the common folk did not wish to install his wrath again as they did for the first fight.

“We must fight back!” Kara yelled, to no avail. All she got for her screaming was cabbage and all sorts of food thrown at her.

“Your father sang that sour tune once, and we did fight back,” one man said, who had lost an eye due to the fighting, “And once was enough! We’ll not dance to it again!”

“No, Hewe,” Kara said to the man, “just cringe like a dog under Einon’s boot.”

“At least a cringing dog’s a live one!”

“I speak the truth,” she said.

Kara turned to here the source of laughing that now filled the air, and saw Bowen. Sora, Riku and Kairi were not in the village, instead waiting on a nearby hilltop.

“Truth?” he said in disbelief, “It’s rarely inspiring, lass. And it never wins rebellions, but it will stretch necks, if there is a neck underneath that little mud pie,” he added, gesturing to the mud that now covered Kara’s face.

The peasants’ laughter, however, soon turned to screams when a dragon was seen in the air. Indeed, it was once again time for a dragon hunt and gold.

“About time,” Bowen muttered under his breath, as Draco flew by and landed on a nearby hilltop.

“It seems you people are in need of a Dragonslayer,” Bowen yelled, “Where is the lord responsible for this village?”

The one eyed man, Hewe, stuck his head out from his house and said, “Brok lives in a big house about six miles away. But he’ll only blame any damage on us and pluck our pockets to pay for it.”

“I won’t pluck them as deeply,” Bowen said, “I’ll make you a fair offer. Take it, or leave him!” To add to the fear, Draco gave a loud roar.

Kara, frustrated at what was going on, yelled, “It’s enough you people grovel to Einon. Will you be bullied by some broken-down, blackmailing knight as well?”

Bowen merely laughed, “That’s right, you don’t need me. Settle it yourself. Of course, there are other ways. Perhaps you’ll part with one of your precious daughters, instead of gold.”

“No!” Hewe screamed, running out to get in-between Bowen and his three daughters.

“Dragons are partial to maiden sacrifices, I hear,” Bowen continued.

The next thing Kara knew, she was tied to a post being wheeled up to a dragon, shouting at the peasants.

“Who’s the girl?” Draco asked.

“A nuisance. Get rid of her,” Bowen replied, riding up the hill.

“Why?” Draco asked.

“They’re trying to placate you with a sacrifice.”

“Now, whoever gave them that bright idea?” Sora asked sarcastically, next to Draco.

“Never mind. Just get rid of her!” Bowen shouted.

“How?” Draco asked.

“Eat her!”

“Oh, please! Yuck!”

“Improvise then.”

“All right, all right,” Draco gave up, and then flew down to Kara.

Much later, Bowen, Sora, Kairi, and Riku walked through the forest, looking for Draco. They heard a deep singing, and followed it. In some twist of fate, it led them right to the spot where they first met Draco.

“You have a beautiful voice,” Kara said as Draco finished singing.

“Oh, thank you. We dragons love to sing when we’re happy,” Draco replied.

“Well, you’re not like a dragon at all,” Kara said.

“Well how many dragons do you know?”

“Well you’re the first.”

“You should never listen to minstrels’ fancies,” Draco advised, “a dragon would never hurt a soul, unless they tried to hurt him first.”

“Really?” a skeptical Kara asked, “Then why were you in my village?”

“Oh!” Draco exclaimed, snapping his ‘fingers’, “The village!”

“Yes the village!” Bowen shouted, coming into sight, “You remember the village?

“Leave him alone, you bully!” Kara shouted, jumping off her rock, “Run, Draco, fly! I’ll hold him!”

“Where have you been?” Bowen shouted, ignoring Kara, who grabbed a dagger from her belt.”

“I’m truly sorry, Bowen,” Draco said, as Sora and the others caught up with Bowen, “I’ve been distracted. Everyone, meet Kara.”

Kara still held her dagger up to Bowen, but did not attack.

"You should have eaten her," Bowen said, then walked to the river to wash his face.

“Don’t get angry Bowen,” Draco said.

“Why not? You left me high and dry. I was worried to death!”

“Worried? About me?” Draco asked. It seemed funny to him that two creatures who started out as enemies could become friends so quickly.

“Yeah,” Sora said, “half the village was out there, searching the skies for you.”

“I don’t know where you are,” Bowen took over, “If you’re coming back, when you’re coming back. You just…”

But when he looked up, Draco was not there. He had gone into his cave, hiding.

“Disappear,” Bowen finished.

“Be careful,” Draco said from the cave, “He’s coming.”

Bowen looked and saw who Draco meant. Einon and his Heartless lackeys.

“Not good,” Sora breathed, readying his Keyblade.

“Well, well, well,” Einon shouted, dismounting his horse, “It can’t be. But it is! My old mentor. Still giving carving lessons?”

“Get off your horse, I’ll give you one,” Bowen shouted back.

“Time’s not been kind to you, Bowen. You should never have broke with me.”

“It was you who broke with me!” Bowen shouted back.

“And yet you return to me with three outsiders with giant key like swords. I’ve heard of you three. And you return with this girl I lost.”

Sora looked at Kara, who merely held up a dagger in defiance.

“I think she wants to stay lost,” Sora shouted.

“Not her decision, I’m afraid,” Einon shouted back.

Einon then dismounted and pulled out his sword, while the Heartless closed in on Sora and his friends. While the three of them fought off the Heartless, Einon pointed his sword at Bowen, “I’m ready for my lesson now, Knight.”

Bowen drew his sword and engaged Einon in single combat. He quickly forced Einon on the defensive. Einon then charged at Bowen, who sidestepped and placed his sword against Einon’s back.

“That’s one lesson you never learned!” he said to his former student, “Only expose your back to a corpse!”
Einon used the moment to swing at Bowen, knocking the sword from his hand.

“We have to help him,” Sora said, sidestepping the spear of a Heartless, “he’s not willing to hurt his former student.”

“Love to,” Riku said, blocking the sword of a Heartless, “but we’re a little busy at the moment, Sora. Bowen’s going to have to fend for himself for the time being.”

“You are a corpse!” Einon said to his former teacher, “you just don’t know it!”
Einon then swung at Bowen again, who dodged and grabbed his sword from the water and parried the blows Einon threw at him. However, Einon managed to force Bowen to the ground, helpless.

“Lie down, Bowen!” Einon shouted, “You’re the sorry scrap of dead worlds and dead beliefs.”

“No!” Bowen shouted, knocking Einon’s sword away and getting to his feet, “They were your beliefs!”

“Never. Never mine,” Einon said, retrieving his sword. And the two exchanged a few more blows.

“What does he mean, ‘never mine’?” Kairi asked while defeating a Heartless.

“I think he did betray Bowen after all,” Sora said, blocking another blow from a Heartless.

“You said the words!” Bowen shouted to Einon, but now he feared it wasn’t so, “You spoke them from your heart!”

“I vomited them up because I couldn’t stomach them!” Einon yelled, “Because I knew it was what you wanted to hear!”

“Lies!” Bowen screamed, blocking another blow, “Liar! I taught you!”

“You taught me to fight, that’s all!” Einon screamed back, “I took what I needed from you.” The words were breaking Bowen’s heart, “You taught me to fight!”

Bowen blocked a few more blows, but Einon got through his defenses and stabbed him in the shoulder with the tip of his sword.

Einon laughed and said, “You taught me well.”

He pulled his sword away and snapped his fingers, and the Heartless disengaged Sora and his friends. Einon sheathed his sword and walked to his horse, secretly pulling a dagger from its sheath. He turned at prepared to throw it at his mentor, but Draco came out and roared. The dragon scared Einon out of his wits and his retreated with due haste.

“Who asked you to interfere?” Bowen said; hand on his wound, “I had everything under control.”
***********

with that, there are just three more chapter in the Dragonheart world. after that, we get another glipse at the Question and Phantasm, and then...

with all due respect,
Merlin326

[Zero Inferno]

The D*** M*****! Mwahahahahahaahaaaaah!

Great chapter again. I can't wait for more on Phantasm and Question.

[Xuan]

I'd rather wait more of your insane laughter lol.

Nice chappie Merlin. It's almost time for Bowen to go nuts over Draco.

[mileycyrus13]

yeah!great chapter merlin!

[Davy Jones]

Great as always. One of my favorite scenes from the movie beautifully transposed into the fan fiction.

[mileycyrus13]

yyyyyyyyyyyyyyuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupppppppppppppp

[Ban Mido]

Originally Posted by mileycyrus13

yyyyyyyyyyyyyyuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupppppppppppppp

In the Literature section, please leave the bumping to the creator.

[Merlin326]

and for your literary enjoyment, the next chapter is up. it contains, amoung other things...

a code
an island
a king
a knight
a dragon
a prank on those who have seen the movie
and a spoony bard

**********

Chapter 6
Avalon, oh Avalon

The five of them, Bowen, Sora, Riku, Kairi, and now Kara, were walking back into town; Draco was away somewhere.

“Let me see you wound,” Sora said, and looked at the cut he had received from his dual with Einon. The healing magic had done well; the wound was well healed already. Sora said, “It’s healed well.”

“Your magic is pretty interesting,” Bowen said to Sora, “In a few days, it’ll be just another scar.”

“And what’s one more scar?” Kara asked, “To a knight, I mean. I once knew a knight. He stood all alone against an evil king and even saved a rebel leader from blinding. He must have had many scars.”

Bowen knew what game she was trying to play, and replied, “That knight died of his wounds long ago.”

“That’s too bad,” Kara said.

“His kind is badly missed in this or any world,” Sora added.

“That’s the way the wretched world is, Sora,” Bowen said, already tired of this discussion.

“Doesn’t have to be,” Kara interjected, “Men like you could lead others. You could give people courage and hope.”

“Hope?” Bowen said skeptically, “Even if you could raise your army, do you think they’d stand a chance against seasoned troops or those Heartless things? Last time they tried it was a massacre. I remember. I was there.”

“So was I,” Kara said, “That rebel was my father. Let others stand with you. You’ll see this time the end will be different.”

Bowen said nothing, just stared at her and smiled. “What are you looking at?” Kara asked.

“Myself,” he answered sadly, “once upon a time.” And then he continued walking.

Sora said, “Kara, he does have a point. Peasants won’t be able to stand against the Heartless.”

“That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try, Sora,” Kara replied.

“I know,” Sora said, “oh how I know.”
----------
Bowen waited as the villagers counted out a bag full of gold coins. “We can lose no more pigs to this dragon,” the man said, handing the bag to Bowen.

“Wait!” Kara shouted, running into view, Sora and friends trailing not far behind.

“What are you doing here?” Bowen yelled. Sora came up and whispered, “Sooner or later you’re going to get caught, Bowen. And when that happens, either you or Draco is going to pay the price. Quit while you are ahead. And while you HAVE a head.”

“This knight,” Kara shouted to the villagers, “is not a Dragonslayer.”

“You’re mistaken, my child!” came a shout. All eyes turned to the voice, and it was a familiar one to Bowen and Sora’s companions.

“He’s the greatest Dragonslayer there is!” Brother Gilbert yelled, walking over to them, “Possibly the greatest there ever will be!”

“Brother Gilbert!” Sora shouted.

“Bowen! Sora! Kairi! Riku!” Gilbert shouted back, “You’re alive. Praised be the saints. The saints be blessed. You’re alive!” Gilbert looked over Bowen and the others, then added, “And… whole.”

Bowen laughed, smiled, and said, “Brother Gilbert.”

“You could not put your trust in a better man,” Gilbert said to the peasants, “I personally have seen him slay almost two dragons.”

“Almost?” Kara asked.

Gilbert turned to her and said, “Well, I didn’t actually see the death blow of the second, but as Bowen is here, he must have won.”

“No,” Kara said, “Don’t you see? He’s in league with the dragon.”

“Kara,” Kairi whispered, “it won’t work this way.”

Bowen shot a skeptical look to the villagers, who began to laugh. Much later, Bowen was working on another ballista for Draco. He looked up as soon as he heard the flapping of wings, and cut the rope, sending the arrow flying straight at Draco. Draco caught it and began to fall headfirst into the water… the shallow water.

“Told you so,” Sora breathed.

“Sink,” Bowen said, “Sink!”

“I can’t,” Draco replied, “It doesn’t get any deeper!”

“Well done, Bowen!” an oblivious Gilbert said, “You’ve done it again! What a brute! That’s even bigger than the last one!”

“Actually, he’s about the same size,” Sora said. Why not? He’d figure it out soon enough. Bowen turned to see the villagers coming out of their houses and, seeing the fallen dragon, stalked toward it.

“Oh, great,” Riku breathed.

“Perfect,” Sora whispered sarcastically.

“Meat,” one of the villagers said.

“Meat,” another one said, and soon a chant of ‘Meat’ was echoing throughout the villagers. Bowen could do nothing as the villagers ran past to the Draco, who watched them upside down.

“Oh, dear,” Draco breathed, sitting up and tried to fly, but his wings were still too wet for flight. Finally, he managed to get into the air, and took off.

“Uh-oh,” Bowen breathed. He knew what was going to happen next.

“I think it’s a good time to be elsewhere,” Sora said.

“Anywhere but here,” Kairi agreed.

The villagers stared in disbelief, their meat gone, and slowly turned toward Bowen and his companions.

“What’s going on?” Gilbert asked.

The crowd began to chant ‘Meat!’ again and started towards them.

“Run,” Kara said, “that’s what’s going on!”

And they took off for the forest, hungry/angry villagers behind them. Bowen jumped on his horse, and grabbed Kara and Gilbert, pulling them up behind him. Sora, Riku and Kairi ran beside the horse, there was no more room for them, and took off for the entrance. However, they were surrounded before they could get away.

“No dragon,” Bowen said, throwing the gold to the villagers, “no charge.”

They ignored it, though, even stepped on it, still chanting ‘meat!’. Suddenly, Draco appeared out of the sky and grabbed everyone with his claws and flew away.

“We’re going to die!” Gilbert screamed. He hadn’t figured everything out yet. “We’re going to die!”

“Calm yourself, Brother Gilbert, we’re not going to die,” Sora said, “We’re just flying.”

“If you’re going to get yourselves killed,” Kara insisted, “You might as well do it in the fight against Einon.

“I think Kara has a point,” Gilbert said, with Sora, Riku and Kairi agreeing. “But I’d rather discuss it on the ground,” Gilbert finished.
-------------

Later, they came to a strange, mist filled land. By now, the sun was beginning to set on the horizon. On the land, they could make out ruins.

“Draco,” Bowen said, “what unholy place is this?”

“Unholy?” Draco asked, as if it was the greatest gag in the world, “This is Avalon, the resting place of King Arthur himself.”

“Avalon?” Sora gasped. He had, as did most people, heard of the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, even knew it was real, thanks to Merlin; but had never thought he would actually go there. Much later, well into the night, Gilbert sat at one of the tall stone towers marking the tombs of King Arthur and his knights, praying.

“So it was foretold, and so have I found you, brave King Arthur…”

As Gilbert continued to prey, Draco contemplated the main points of the Old Code Arthur had set. “Valor, virtue, truth. Ah, yes…truth.”

“Amen,” Brother Gilbert finished, “Ready now, Kara.” Indeed, they were all ready, all ready to go and fight Einon. All but one, “And you, Bowen? This is Avalon, the shadow realm of the Round Table. It’s a divine omen.”

“Omens won’t win battles,” Bowen said, “Nor will you. And you’ll find out when you try to raise your army,” he then turned to Kara, “You already know the courage in your village. They’re very brave at pelting young girls with vegetables.”

“It must start somewhere,” Kara said.

“Will you wish us luck, Draco?” Sora asked the great dragon.

Instead of answering straightly, Draco began a tale, “Long ago, when man was young and the dragon already old, the wisest of our race took pity on man. He gathered together all the dragons, making them vow to watch over man always. And at the moment of his death, the night became alive with those stars,” he pointed at the stars that made up the constellation Draco, “And thus was born the dragons’ heaven. But when we die, not all dragons are admitted to this shining place. No, we have to earn it. And if we don’t, our spirit disappears as if we never were.”

“That’s what you meant when you said you feared death,” Sora said, “and about losing your soul.”

“Correct,” Draco said, “And that’s why I shared my life force with a dying boy, so I would reunite man and dragon and ensure my place among my ancient brothers of the sky. But… my sacrifice became my sin.”

“It was you,” Bowen said, putting words to what he had guessed all this time, “Your heart beats in Einon’s chest.”

Draco jumped down from his rock to in front of Bowen and said, “Yes, my half-heart that cost me all of my soul. Even then, I knew his bloodthirsty nature, but I thought my heart could change him. My god, I was so naïve.”

“No more than I,” Bowen said sadly, “All my life I’ve dreamed of serving noble kings, noble ideals. Dreams die hard, and you hold them in your hands long after they’ve turned to dust. I will not be that naïve again!”

Draco narrowed his eyes at Bowen, knowing the words also were his final answer to their question. “Kara, I will go with you,” he said. Bowen glared at Draco, and then stormed off.

“So be it,” Draco said sadly, “Farewell, Bowen.”
-------------
Some time later, Bowen sat in an archway to escape the rain that was now pouring down around him. Suddenly, a ghostly voice seemed to echo from somewhere.

Valor.

Bowen looked up, and another voice came.

Valor.

More and more voices began to repeat the word, coming from the tombs of the Knights of the Round Table.

Valor!

A knight is sworn to valor.

Bowen, finally curious, got up and walked to the center of the ring of stones that served as the markers for the tombs. He did not notice Axel and Spoiler were perched on a nearby rock, speaking through special voice mufflers. Voices continued to speak, saying various points of the Old Code.

Bowen turned to one of the stones, which seemed to be speaking directly to him, and kneeled before it; Firefly was position right behind it, out of sight. Bowen went to the stone, which still had a carving of its knight on it; quite possibly a carving of King Arthur himself. Behind the statue, Axel was in position to remind Bowen of his ideals.

A Knight is sworn to valor.

“A knight is sworn to valor!” Bowen repeated.

His heart knows only virtue.

“His heart knows only virtue!”

His blade defends the helpless.

“His blade defends the helpless!”

His might upholds the weak.

“His might upholds the weak!”

His world speaks only truth.

“His word speaks only truth!”

His wrath undoes the wicked!

“His wrath undoes the wicked!”

He remembered. Bowen remembered the ideals and wishes behind the Old Code and those who had founded it; the ideals he himself lived by and had tried to teach Einon, only to have them spat back in his face. But, as a Knight of the Old Code, he would defeat Einon, and free the peasants from his tyranny.
Bowen turned as Sora, Riku, Kairi, Kara, Gilbert, and Draco came to him, smiling. And no one saw Axel or Spoiler leave, their dirty work complete.

****************

i must say, i like the Old Code. a very nice set of ideals, definatly something King Arthur would have lived by. A Knight is sworn to valor...

EDIT: a bonus i found while surfing the net, a longer variation of the Old Code...

...inside the circle of the table, under the holy sword, a knight must swear he will obey to the eternal code, eternal as the table, a ring bound to honour.

A knight is sworn to valor, his heart knows only virtue, his blade defends the helpless, his might upholds the weak, his word speaks only truth, his wrath undoes the wicked.

The right can never die, if a man still remembers him. Words are not forgotten, if a voice pronounce them clearly, The Code always shines, if a heart preserves it brightly...

The Old Code....

with all due respect,
Merlin326, Knight of the Old Code

[Xuan]

Ya' know, that voice was supposed to be King Arthur's soul (Or whatever) speaking instead of some red hair and... who he is again?

Anyway, nice one.